Consider your options carefully. It is likely that you are expecting top grades in your Leaving Certificate if you are considering pharmacy as a career so there will be plenty of doors open to you. Make sure you do plenty of work experience in different areas of pharmacy and if it is healthcare you are interested in then consider getting some work experience in medicine etc. I know quite a few people who have completed a pharmacy degree only to realise they actually want to do medicine!

The Social person's interests focus on some aspect of those people in their environment. In all cases the social person enjoys the personal contact of other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people, and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Occupation Details

Information Officer - Adult Guidance

Education These occupations usually require a Leaving Certificate or equivalent.

Related Experience Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a bank teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

Job Training Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognised apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Supports the day to day work of the adult education guidance service by providing up-to-date, user-friendly, accurate and relevant information and advice to enquiries.

The Work

Guidance Information officers are very often the first point of contact for the service and carry out day to day administrative tasks such as maintaining an appointments system and databases relevant to the adult learner.

Guidance officers present on various topics of interest to groups including education and training options, entitlements and refer clients to the Adult Education Guidance Counsellor or relevant agencies based on their needs.

Duties include:

Access information from a range of circulation sources, both paper based and ICT based

Deal with public enquiries by telephone and in person from members of the public, local agencies and community groups

Undertake research on behalf of clients, groups, and staff and prepare individualized information packs

Interpret and apply information, such as grant entitlements, to individual needs

Input and maintain appropriate client records

Maintain appropriate links with other service providers

Undertake appropriate activities to publicise and market the services to exisiting and new clients

Maintain comprehensive and up to date information on local job, education and training opportunties

Personal Qualities

Good communication skills are very important. You must be able to listen carefully and ask the right questions to understand accurately the client's query. You will also be expected to present on relevant topics of interest to groups.

You will meet people from many different backgrounds, with different levels of self-confidence and experience of education. Being friendly, non-judgmental and approachable is important as you will in many cases be the first point of contact for the client.

You will need strong negotiating skills, to represent the client's interests when you work with colleges or training providers.

The role of the guidance information officer can be very varied, so you will need to be flexible and well organised. You will need to be able to do administrative tasks such as keeping records, planning and organising events, scheduling appointments, liasing with the guidance counsellor or co-ordinator in your service. Have an array of information leaflets, accurate sources of information and good networking relationships with local services and education providers to respond to the wide range of client queries.

Entry Routes

Minimum of Leaving Certificate is required, however, currently many Guidance Information officers have qualifications in Adult Guidance and Counselling and other social care courses.

Career Guidance

Search for Related Courses from Qualifax - the National Learners Database

Further Ed & PLC Course Suggestions

If you are interested in this occupation, then the following courses may also be of interest. Note that these course suggestions are not intended to indicate that they lead directly to this occupation, only that they are related in some way and may be worth exploring.